Metal oxide-based electrode compositions

Abstract

The invention provides a method of charging and/or discharging an electrochemical cell at a high rate, wherein the electrochemical cell has a working electrode comprising a niobium tungsten oxide and/or a niobium molybdenum oxide. The invention also provides an electrode comprising a niobium tungsten oxide wherein, the ratio of Nb2O5 to WO; is from 8:5 to 11:20, and an electrode comprising niobium molybdenum oxide, wherein the ratio of Nb2O5 to MoO3 is from 6:1 to 1:3.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrochemical cell comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode comprises niobium tungsten oxide, wherein the ratio of Nb 2 O 5  to WO 3  in the electrode is from 8:5 to 11:20, the niobium tungsten oxide is an active material, and the electrode is the anode during discharge of the electrochemical cell. 
     
     
       2. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises Nb 16 W 5 O 55 , Nb 18 W 8 O 69 , Nb 2 WO 8 , Nb 18 W 16 O 93 , or Nb 22 W 20 O 115 , or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises Nb 16 W 5 O 55  or Nb 18 W 16 O 93 . 
     
     
       4. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises a mixture of a niobium tungsten oxide and an additional active material. 
     
     
       5. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode does not have a porous nor hierarchical structure. 
     
     
       6. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises a niobium tungsten oxide in particulate form. 
     
     
       7. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , in a lithium ion battery. 
     
     
       8. The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , in a vehicle.